Sealed Seam Mattresses: The 3 Levels to Consider for Your Constant Use Environment

Picking the right furniture product can be a challenge for facility managers, architects, interior designers, purchasing agents and other professionals involved with intensive-use spaces such as healthcare facilities, correctional environments and shelters – places where a steady stream of clients provide extreme wear and tear on furnishings.

Mattresses are no exception to this rule. In fact, this product may be at higher risk since they are made of softer materials – nylon, polyurethane and fabrics – that ensure comfort and usability for those in your facility.

There are many mattress products on the market that claim to be highly durable and suitable for intensive-use environments where continuous use is a constant challenge. However, if a facility is looking for superior products that will hold up to puncture attempts, sanitation/infection issues and bed bug infestation, consider the three following levels of mattresses for your facility.

Level 1

For facilities looking to combat bodily fluids and normal wear and tear, we recommend purchasing polyurethane-coated, fire-retardant mattresses with a radio-frequency welded sealed seam. This grade of mattress should be fluid, crack, peel, abrasion and bed bug resistant, and anti-microbial and anti-fungal. Integrated pillows are a wise value choice, as is choosing a mattress with a densified fiber core. For added comfort, select a mattress with a 6” thick polyurethane foam core.

Level 2

For facilities that need extra safeguards, we recommend using a sealed-seam mattress that incorporates an enhanced tear-resistant, rip-stop scrim into the polyurethane-coated cover. Rip-stop technology provides extra security by weaving heavy duty fabric into the cover’s material — making it even more secure than your basic sealed seam mattress. It also prevents tearing if a puncture does actually occur. Additionally, look for a product with densified fiber or polyurethane foam core and integrated pillow. Products such as these protect against bodily fluids, blood borne pathogens, bed bugs and puncture attempts for enhanced hygiene, security and durability.

Level 3

For maximum security, we recommend mattresses made with a radio-frequency welded sealed seam that is reinforced with internal stitching and that is guaranteed not to break. Look for a heavy weight polyurethane-coated cover that features a reinforcing rip-stop scrim for enhanced hygiene, security and durability. These institutional-grade products provide maximum security against bodily fluids, blood borne pathogens, bed bugs and puncture attempts. And like the other levels, choose mattresses with a densified fiber or polyurethane foam core.

“The durability of the sealed seam mattress offers a significant return on investment,” said Lt. Josh Carey, Assistant Jail Commander, Hamilton County Jail, IN (500 bed facility – 300 beds jail, 200 beds community corrections). “This has a positive impact to our annual operating budget. Our officers spend less time dealing with replacing, repairing and cleaning mattresses which allows them to focus their time on more critical tasks inside the facility.”

Conclusion

Aside from reviewing all of the information supplied here, it’s also important for facilities to ask questions. What kind of flammability certifications have been conducted on the product? What kind of seam does the mattress have? Why is this product right for my facility? Why are you the right company to purchase this product from? If the manufacturer can’t answer these kinds of questions, then you need to look at other mattress options. Because in the end, a mattress is not just a comfortable place for someone to lay their head — it’s a huge safety issue and a prudent investment in facility operations.

For more than 30 years Norix has provided secure furnishings and fixtures for every application. The product line has expanded to include industries and environments such as behavioral healthcare, public safety, transportation, educational institutions, corrections, commercial facilities and military installations. For more information, call 800-234-4900 or visit: http://www.norix.com.